Device for drawing on stockings



June 8, 1948. D. PARK I DEVICE FOR DRAWING ON STOCKINGS Filed March 14,1946 WM E Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,443,115ve s DEVICE FOR DRAWING N STOCKINGS Lucille D. Park, Westfield, N. J.

Application March 14, 1946, Serial No. 654,267

s claims. 1

This invention relates to a device adapted to be clamped on the top of astocking to facilitate the drawing on of the stocking by a person who isprevented from reaching his or her foot by a disability of some kind.

It is an object of the inventionto provide adevice which is simple instructure, effective in operation and which ypreferably can be collapsedor disassembled so as to be carried in airelatively small and compactform.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be hadto the following description of an embodiment thereof, and to thedrawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device with the exception of theinner ring;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inner ring;

Figure 3 is a section on a transverse plane of the clamping rings;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate, on a smaller scale, successive stages ofoperation of the device.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device embodying the invention comprisesessentially a pair of nested rings for clamping or gripping the top of astocking and means for holding the clamping rings at a distance from thehands of the operator. The rings may be of any suitable shape ormaterial, one or both of the rings being preferably springy so that astocking topcan be resiliently clamped between them.

In the specific embodiment shown, the outer ring IIJ is in the shape ofa short cylinder which is split as at I2 so as to provide resiliency.The natural springy character of the ring I0 may be augmented by aspring tension member I4 Vwhich spans the split I2 and is attached tothe ends of the ring on either side of the split. As shown in Figure 1,the spring III may be a leaf spring, but a coil spring or elastic bandmay be employed if preferred.

The inner ring 2D which rests within the ring I 0 is a short cylinderhaving a radial flange 22 at its upper end extending out over the ringIll. As indicated in Figure 3, the rings I0 and 20 are so related as tosize and shape that they can conveniently clamp a stocking top betweenthem. In order to arrange a stocking top 24 to be clamped between theserings, the top is drawn through the ring I0 from below whereupon theinner ring is inserted within the stocking top and is pressed intonested relation with the ring ID until its progress is stopped by theflange 22. The upper margin 26 of the stocking top is then turned intothe inner ring as indicated in Figure 3.

Secured to one or the other ofthe rings is a device for supporting therings at a suitable distance from the hands of the operator. As shown inFigure 1, a pair of rods 30 and 32 are secured to the outer ring eitherby suitable joints 34 which permit ready detachment of the rods from thering or otherwise. The rods are normally held at right angles to theplane of the ring II! but can be rocked about the joints 34 againstsuitable frictional resistance until they lie substantially in the planeof the ring. This is convenient when it is desired to store the devicein a flat container such as a suitcase or shallow box.

The upper ends of the rods 30 and 32 are joined by a cross-bar 36 whichacts as a handle member by which the device can readily be manipulated.This bar may be detachably secured as by set screws 38 or otherwise. Therods 30 may also be made collapsible. For this purpose they are shown asmade in sections which may be taken apart or which may be made totelescope as shown in Figure 1. The upper portion III of each rod istubular so as to receive the lower section in sliding engagement whichmay be frictional if desired. In order to limit the relative slidingmovement between the sections of each rod, the upper section 40 may beprovided with a slot 42 which terminates short of the ends of thesection. In this slot rides a pin 44 which is mounted in the lowersection and thus limits the telescoping movement between the sections.

Thus the entire device may readily be diassembled for packing in a smallspace.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, a stocking top may be clamped betweenthe rings as hereinbefore described. The operator then holds the ringsbeyond the toes of the foot by grasping the handle bar 36. The rings maythen be drawn u-p the lower portion of the leg as the foot enters thestocking. When the rings come within reach of the hands of the operator,for example, to the position indicated in Figure 6, the inner ring 2o ispulled up to release the outer ring I 0, the latter being lowered toclear the lower portion of the stocking. The stocking top is then drawnthrough the inner ring which is thereupon allowed to drop down clear ofthe foot of the operator and clear of the lower vportion of the stockingwhich has not yet been drawn on the foot. The stocking top is thengrasped by the hands of the operator and the remainder of the stockingis drawn on in the usual manner.

I claim:

1. A device for drawing on stockings, comprising two cencentric ringsadapted to clamp between them a stocking top, a pair of rods extend-

